Rating: 
Summary: What a tangled web he weaves!!
Review: "Law of Gravity" is a definite 5-star mystery novel. Horn pulls you deeper and deeper into his tangled web of politics, murder and cover ups. You may think you have it figured out, but don't be fooled! As soon as you get comfortable with the story, another surprise is in store! What a fun read!! I couldn't put it down!
Rating:
Summary: "He weaves a good tangled web"
Review: "Law of Gravity" pulls you deeper and deeper in this world of murder and cover ups. You may think you have it figured out, but don't be fooled. As soon as you get comfortable with this thriller, Horn pulls your strings again and again. Keep the lights on.
Rating:
Summary: "The Guy Who Did It Has to Fall"
Review: "I had nothing to do with the disappearance of Martin Green. I had nothing to do. I was passing the days. And the nights. One to the next. No agenda, no appointments, no to-dos. No interests, hobbies, or curiosity. No ambition. When I showed up at the Justice Department, colleagues got tunnel vision..." Phillip Barkley had been a player, a Washington insider whose professional and personal life took a meteoric downward plunge after he testified on Capitol Hill, blowing the whistle on fundraising abuses and scandal. But now with the disappearance of Martin Green, Phil just might get the fresh start he so badly wants. Green is a senior aide to golden boy, Senator Warren Young, presidential aspirant and chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, and it looks like his sudden and unexpected departure to parts unknown might be connected to espionage and spying. All Barkley has to do is oversee the investigation and come up with the right result, something that will distance Green from Senator Young and not impact his political ambitions. But as he digs, Phil finds that all is far from what it seems, and he's not willing to rush to judgement with a whitewash job and destroy Martin Green's good name. As leads take him all the way back to the mysterious 1955 suicide of a Hungarian refugee, murder and mayhem ensue, and as the body count rises, Phil Barkley finds his quest for justice may just be his last..... Stephen Horn has really pulled out all the stops with his second intriguing and compelling novel, set in Washington, D.C. Law Of Gravity is a well crafted, intelligent, and intense political thriller, filled with suspense, riveting scenes, and dark humor. The writing is entertaining and smart, and Mr Horn shows a real ear for crisp dialogue, and his characterizations are brilliant, well drawn and developed. But it's Mr Horn's, expertise and insider knowledge of the workings of Capitol Hill and the Justice Department that adds real credibility to the story and makes this novel stand out and sparkle. With a stunning conclusion that ties all the story lines together into a neat and realistic package, and a satisfying conclusion, Law Of Gravity is a superb thriller, destined for the top of all the bestsellers' lists. If you're new to Stephen Horn, make sure you go back and read his marvelous debut novel, In Her Defense. If you're already a fan, this latest political thriller is a winner.
Rating: 
Summary: A nice surprise
Review: I bought this at a used book sale without high expectations. When I finally picked it up to read a few months later, I was pleasantly surprised. It's rare that I read a work by an author I've not heard of and think, "I'll have to look up other things he's written" but I did with this. The characters may be a little underdeveloped but they are fairly believable, the plot moves along, and there are enough twists to keep you thinking.
Rating:
Summary: highly recommended
Review: i looked for this book because of an amazon.com review -- it was pretty hard to find in the stores and i would have missed it but for the reviews. it was well worth the trouble. The hero's disillusionment was vivid without being so bad as to make his character a chore to follow; the plot was well crafted. i didn't figure out what was going on until very near the end; and best of all, when i did find out, it made sense, unlike a lot of books whose endings may be surprising but have little connection to what went before.
Basically, the hero (aptly described by one character as "Dudley Doright") who has become a political outcast, is asked to preside over and rubber stamp a justice Dept. investigation. Depressed enough that he thinks he is willing to do just that in exchange for a new job far away from D.C., he quickly discovers that there is more to the case than meets the eye, and off he rides (figuratively). my only real quibble is with the end, which is in my view unrealistically happy.
Rating:
Summary: Very solidly written and well told story
Review: I'm not going to rehash the plot here but only say that Stephen Horn is a very good writer of legal thrillers with this particular novel being a fine example of his skills. He draws you in with a fascinating look at a down and out lawyer who finds a better part of himself through the things that happen in this book. Ultimately, this is a novel about redemption and written in a way that makes it's points without appearing to lecture or moralize. It's just a good novel. Period.I had the pleasure of attending a seminar where Stephen appeared and was highly impressed by his wisdom, communication skills and his interesting ideas about writing and legal thrillers.
Rating:
Summary: Another grabber
Review: In a few words, Stephen Horn captured me on the first page and held me until the last. He has that rare ability to spin an outstanding yarn. I can't wait for his next book.
Rating:
Summary: Defies Gravity
Review: LAW OF GRAVITY, the second novel by Stephen Horn is quite simply one of the best political thrillers that I have ever read. I was compelled to read this book because it had been paired by Amazon.com with my own novel, EVIL, BE GONE, in one of the site's packaged deals. I am very happy to report that my novel is in great company. It seems that both of our novels tell tales of politically conniving fathers and their unwitting sons. Philip Barkley is an incredibly understated hero who the reader begins to cheer for both because of this character's personal tragic circumstances and his crusade to do the right thing. Barkley's eventual sidekick, McSorley, adds some comforting nostalgia and comic relief to Philip's intensity and melancholy. What a marvelous blend of characters. I am so impressed with Mr. Horn's writing that I can't wait to read IN HER DEFENSE. - Robert John Estko, author of the suspense thriller, EVIL, BE GONE.
Rating:
Summary: Defies Gravity
Review: LAW OF GRAVITY, the second novel by Stephen Horn is quite simply one of the best political thrillers that I have ever read. I was compelled to read this book because it had been paired by Amazon.com with my own novel, EVIL, BE GONE, in one of the site's packaged deals. I am very happy to report that my novel is in great company. It seems that both of our novels tell tales of politically conniving fathers and their unwitting sons. Philip Barkley is an incredibly understated hero who the reader begins to cheer for both because of this character's personal tragic circumstances and his crusade to do the right thing. Barkley's eventual sidekick, McSorley, adds some comforting nostalgia and comic relief to Philip's intensity and melancholy. What a marvelous blend of characters. I am so impressed with Mr. Horn's writing that I can't wait to read IN HER DEFENSE. - Robert John Estko, author of the suspense thriller, EVIL, BE GONE.
Rating:
Summary: Strong Second Novel:Law of Gravity by Stephen Horn
Review: Like many of us in the real world, Philip Barkley has had a lousy time of it in his fictionalized world. He still loves and misses his ex-wife Constance who is now married to Senator and possible Presidential Candidate, Warren Young. Philip grieves for the loss of his beautiful daughter, Bebe. It is no wonder, thanks to those two problems and a host of others, he has just returned after suffering another nervous breakdown. After more than six months in a hospital, he returns to find himself non-existent in the halls of the Justice Department. Beyond the stigma of mental illness is the fact, before he collapsed, that he testified and exposed the latest political corruption at the highest levels of this nation's government. He still has his reputation of not being able to lie about the facts. For now, to serve its own ends, the Justice Department keeps him on board. Senator Warren Young has a major problem of his own. He is the chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and his aide, Martin Greenberg, has vanished. A few of the clues could mean espionage, but they also mean something far more ordinary. Using his influence, Senator Young has convinced the Attorney General to have Philip Barkley run the investigation, which will solve the possible media problem. There is to be an investigation of sorts, but the result is pre-ordained. Philip Barkley's report is to publicly clear Green and in effect Senator Young of espionage so that the Senator can go forth and campaign for the Presidency. If Barkley cooperates and does what he is told, favors will be called in and they will help him relocate to Oregon where he wants to start his life over. Barkley knows that there is much more to this than meets the eye. But since he has nothing left to lose, agrees to the plan. His suspicions are quickly confirmed when he is teamed up with a naive FBI agent and before the investigation starts, new ground rules go into place. It quickly becomes evident that something strange is going on and it has roots that go back more than fifty years ago. The question is whether or not he will figure out everything in time, not only to save his life, but everyone else's. This is the second novel from Stephen Horn and just as good as his first, "In Her Defense." Once again, he has assembled an intriguing cast of characters some of which seem to be right off the latest newscast. One character nicknamed "The Blade" is absolutely hilarious and seems to closely resemble a key member of former President Clinton's team. Along with some very funny lines, there is a complex and compelling mystery and plenty of action as Barkley works to solve the case.
|
